---
title: HR 1169. The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, and their partners in conjunction with Effingham Day at the Capitol; exceptional leadership, collaboration, and economic impact in Effingham County; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr1169
cite_as: HR 1169, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1169
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1169.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1169/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72656
date: 2026-01-29
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1169.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 1169
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-01-29
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Jon Burns
  - Bill Hitchens
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1169/2025
upstream_id: 2102311
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - economic development
  - Effingham County
  - ceremonial resolution
  - chamber of commerce
---

# HR 1169. The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, and their partners in conjunction with Effingham Day at the Capitol; exceptional leadership, collaboration, and economic impact in Effingham County; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 1169
By: Representatives Burns of the 159th and Hitchens of the 161st
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the Effingham County Industrial
Development Authority, and their partners in conjunction with Effingham Day at the Capitol
for exceptional leadership, collaboration, and economic impact in Effingham County; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, working in partnership with the
Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and other public and private
stakeholders, has advanced a collaborative approach to economic development and business
advocacy that supports job creation, investment, and long-term prosperity in Effingham
County and the greater Coastal Empire region; and
WHEREAS, this collaborative work is showcased through Effingham Day at the Capitol, an
annual initiative led and organized by the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, which
convenes state and local leaders, employers, educators, and community stakeholders to
highlight Effingham County's economic momentum, workforce priorities, infrastructure
needs, and regional opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce serves as the primary convener
and driver of Effingham Day at the Capitol, providing leadership in business advocacy,
legislative engagement, and regional coordination to ensure that Effingham County's voice
and priorities are effectively represented at the state level; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Susan Kraut, President and Chief Executive Officer, the
Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has expanded its impact through strengthened
advocacy, workforce and leadership development initiatives, tourism and place-based
promotion, and a sustained focus on balanced and strategic economic growth; and
WHEREAS, Susan Kraut has been recognized for her statewide influence through inclusion
in the Georgia 500: Most Influential Leaders, reflecting her leadership in economic
development, public-private partnership building, and civic engagement across the State of
Georgia; and
WHEREAS, the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, a presenting partner
of Effingham Day at the Capitol, plays a critical role in advancing industrial recruitment,
supporting major capital investment, and strengthening Effingham County's long-term
economic competitiveness under the leadership of Brandt Herndon, Chief Executive Officer,
who has likewise been named to the Georgia 500: Most Influential Leaders in recognition
of that work; and
WHEREAS, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce is governed by a volunteer Board
of Directors elected by the Chamber's membership and currently chaired by Brett Bennett,
whose leadership reflects a strong commitment to sound governance, accountability, and
service to the business community; and
WHEREAS, the leadership and convening role of the Effingham County Chamber of
Commerce, in partnership with the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and
a broad network of stakeholders, has helped position Effingham County as a growing hub
of opportunity while maintaining its character, quality of life, and long-term resilience.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body commend the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the
Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, and their partners for their
collaborative efforts and economic impact; recognize Effingham Day at the Capitol as a
meaningful example of effective business advocacy and regional leadership; and honor the
service of Susan Kraut, Brandt Herndon, and Board Chair Brett Bennett for their
contributions to Effingham County and the State of Georgia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the Effingham County Industrial Development
Authority, Susan Kraut, Brandt Herndon, and Brett Bennett.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution honors the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, and their leaders for economic development work showcased at Effingham Day at the Capitol.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives. It does not change any law, spend money, or create any new program. Instead, it formally recognizes the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority for their joint work promoting business, job creation, and economic development in Effingham County.
The resolution specifically commends Susan Kraut, President and CEO of the Chamber, Brandt Herndon, CEO of the Industrial Development Authority, and Brett Bennett, the Chamber's Board Chair, for their leadership. It also recognizes Effingham Day at the Capitol, an annual event where local leaders and business figures meet with state officials. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the honorees.

### What it does

- Formally commends the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority for economic development efforts in Effingham County.
- Recognizes Effingham Day at the Capitol as an example of business advocacy and regional leadership.
- Honors three named individuals, Susan Kraut, Brandt Herndon, and Brett Bennett, for their roles in local economic development organizations.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the honored organizations and individuals.

### Who it affects

This resolution directly names and honors the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, Susan Kraut, Brandt Herndon, and Brett Bennett. It has no binding effect on the general public, businesses, or government agencies.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical effect is limited to formal recognition and the distribution of commemorative copies to the named organizations and individuals.

### Key provisions

- The resolution's whereas clauses describe the collaborative work of the Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Authority in economic development and business advocacy.
- The resolved clause has the House commend the two organizations and their partners and recognize Effingham Day at the Capitol.
- The resolution honors Susan Kraut, Brandt Herndon, and Brett Bennett by name for their leadership contributions.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare copies for distribution to the named organizations and individuals.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-01-29)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-01-29)
- Sponsors: Jon Burns, Bill Hitchens
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72656

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1169.md?full=1